By Jonathan Miller, on Fri Mar 2, 2012 at 12:30 PM ET
James Fallows, my favorite national journalist, as well as a long time analyst of the presidency, offers some fascinating insight in his latest cover story for The Atlantic on what makes our President tick, and what this means for the future of his presidency:
Having seen a number of presidencies unfold, and some unravel, I am fully aware of how difficult it is to assess them in real time. What I feel I’ve learned about Obama is that he was unready for the presidency and temperamentally unsuited to it in many ways. Yet the conjunction of right-wing hostility to his programs and to his very presence in office, with left-wing disappointment in his economic record and despair about his apparent inability to fight Republicans on their own terms, led to an underappreciation of his skills and accomplishments—an underappreciation that is as pronounced as the overestimation in those heady early days. Unprepared, yes. Cool to the point of chilly, yes. For all his ability to inspire and motivate people en masse, for all his advertised emphasis on surrounding himself with a first-rate “team of rivals,” Obama appears to have been unsavvy in the FDR-like arts of getting the best from his immediate team and continuing to attract the best people to him.
Yet the test for presidents is not where they begin but how fast they learn and where they end up. Not even FDR was FDR at the start. The evidence is that Obama is learning, fast, to use the tools of office. Whether he is learning fast enough to have a chance to apply these skills in a second term—well, we’ll reconvene next year.
By Zack Adams, RP Staff, on Fri Mar 2, 2012 at 9:00 AM ET
The Pittsburgh Steelers have released DE Aaron Smith, who is widely regarded as one of the best 3-4 defensive ends of all time. Smith’s release comes on the heels of the release of Hines Ward. As the Steelers work to control their cap space they have cut two potential Hall of Fame players in as many days. [ESPN]
The RP’s favorite TV show premiere is less than a month away — Sunday, March 25. From their latest sneak preview, it turns out that despite her divorce from the series’ anti-hero, Don, Betty Draper — played by January Jones — is back.
By Chris Schulz, RP Staff, on Fri Feb 24, 2012 at 1:30 PM ET
Organic farmers rally together to turn the tables on Monsanto by suing them. Monsanto is known for their strong arm tactics and teams of lawyers that aim to put small farmers out of business. [latimes.com]
At a time when meat prices are on the rise how would you feel about eating a hamburger grown in a laboratory? [bbc.co.uk]
Fruit flies use alcohol as a defense mechanism. [npr.org]
A new type of planet is discovered by scientists. It appears to be comprised of steam but could have had earth like conditions long ago. [yahoo.com]
Yesterday, the RP appeared on “The Craig Fahle Show” on WDET in Detroit, to discuss “No Budget, No Pay,” the important new legislation supported by No Labels that would withdraw the pay of Congress if they fail to pass a budget on time.
It appears as though they should consult with someone who has an online accounting degree because it looks as though they can’t do it on their own!
By Jonathan Miller, on Tue Feb 21, 2012 at 12:30 PM ET
As the world awaits the March 6 release of Bruce Springsteen’s latest album, “Wrecking Ball,” another sing has hit the Internet: “Shackled and Drawn.” Listen below, and understand why this appears to be one of the Boss’ most politically charged albums:
At 10:45 AM on “The Craig Fahle Show” on WDET in Detroit, The RP will be discussing “No Budget, No Pay,” the important new legislation supported by No Labels that would withdraw the pay of Congress if they fail to pass a budget on time.
